NR 96-93
September 9, 1996

                           NEWS ADVISORY

                     OCC Will Release Results 
               Of 1996 National Underwriting Survey

What: Press Briefing (Media credentials are required.)

When: Noon, Wednesday, September 11

Where: OCC Headquarters, 250 E Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will release the
results of its second annual survey of underwriting practices. 
The survey of OCC examiners compares lending practices at 82 of
the largest national banks in June 1996 with what they were a year
earlier.  The survey was conducted by the OCC's National Credit
Committee.

Jerilyn Gilland, assistant chief national bank examiner for credit
and management policy and chair of the committee, will present the
survey results.

Nancy Wentzler, director of the OCC's financial and statistical
analysis department, will present recent banking and economic data
that provides context for the survey results.

Scott Calhoun, deputy comptroller for risk evaluation, will be
available to answer questions.
                               # # #

The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,800 national banks and
66 federal branches and agencies of foreign banks in the U.S., accounting for
more than half the nation's banking assets.  Its mission is to ensure the safety
and soundness of the national banking system.